Going through a breakup can be hard on anyone. Even if you know it was the right thing to do and you ended things on good terms, it’s still a loss. And it’s still important to cope in healthy and productive ways.
If the breakup was ugly, it’s even more important to know how to cope properly. When you take the time to manage a breakup the right way, you can find peace with your decision and move on with your life.
When you don’t manage a breakup in healthy ways, you can turn to negative ways of coping. Doing so could lead to excessive use of alcohol or drugs, or it could even lead to mental health conditions like depression.
So, what are some healthy ways you can manage a breakup?
1. Let Your Feelings Out
One of the biggest mistakes people tend to make after a breakup is suppressing their feelings. It might feel good for a while to try to forget about your ex, but it’s not sustainable.
The longer you push your feelings down, the more they start to bottle up. You can’t hold onto them forever. And eventually, it could lead to you breaking down or feeling worse. Plus, you’ll never be able to move on if you’re holding back feelings.
So, instead, accept that the breakup happened and don’t be afraid to talk about it. Even if you just write your thoughts and feelings down in a journal, it can be an outlet to express yourself and let go of the pain and confusion you’ve been holding onto.
2. Eat Right & Exercise
There are plenty of stereotypes about eating pints of ice cream and watching romantic movies in bed after a breakup. Again, that might make you feel good for a while, but it’s not a long-term solution.
Instead, focus on taking care of yourself. Eat foods that give you energy and stress-busting foods like fresh fruits and healthy fats. Eating right will give you more energy and boost your mood.
Another way to boost your spirits naturally is to exercise. You’ll be able to release frustration, improve your mood, and feel good about yourself. It’s easy to lose some self-esteem after a breakup, so being able to feel confident and strong is a great way to get over the split.
3. Do Things You Enjoy
After a breakup, you might have a hard time finding the motivation to get out there and do things you used to really love.
For a while, you might actually need to force yourself to get out of the house. But once you start putting yourself in positive situations again, you’ll start to feel more like yourself again.
When you break up with someone, it can often feel as though you’ve lost a piece of your identity. Finding enjoyment again in the things you’ve always loved can help you to remember who you are and assure you that you have so much to look forward to as you start the next chapter of your life.
4. Talk to Someone
Having a support system in place is crucial after a breakup. Family members and friends can help you to rebuild your confidence and they can encourage you to get out and do things.
But, if you’re struggling, it can be beneficial to talk to a mental health professional. A therapist can help you get to the bottom of what you’re truly feeling and give you the resources to accept and work through those feelings so you can move on.
If you’ve recently been through a breakup and you’re having a hard time managing it on your own, feel free to contact me for more information about how I can help you.
